Martha Richitis Yanalitis

Martha Richitis Yanalitis, Palo Alto, passed away Monday at home.

Born in Cumbola, Nov. 11, 1930, she was a daughter of the late Andrew A. and Anna M. Krist Richitis.

She was a graduate of Pottsville High School. She earned a diploma from Penn State Schuylkill in management development and a diploma from the Chicago Institute of Dress Design. She earned an associate degree in accounting and business administration from Schuylkill Business Institute, Pottsville, a bachelor's degree in accounting and business management from Alvernia College, Reading, and a master's degree from Southern California University, graduating magna cum laude,

In her business years, she managed the front office of Pottsville Chamber of Commerce and Greater Pottsville Industrial Development Co. Later, she was the owner and operator of her own custom design and dressmaking business, as well as an accountant for her husband's electrical contracting business.

In 1976, she was a public relations person for the Palo Alto bicentennial celebration. In 2004, she was chairwoman of the Palo Alto Sesquicentennial History Book committee, responsible for researching and publishing the borough's history.

She was a member and past vice president of Allied Artists of Schuylkill County and vice president of the Business and Professional Women's Association of Pottsville. She was a member of the University Women of America, Washington, D.C., and president and vice president of the Junior Women's Club of Pottsville. She was the literature chairwoman of the Schuylkill County Federation of Women's Club and Pennsylvania State Federation of Women's Club representative at that time.

She was a member of St. Casimir Roman Catholic Church, Saint Clair.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Anthony M. Yanalitis, on July 6, 1998; and a sister, Marie E. Herring. She was the last member of her immediate family.

Surviving are daughters, Barbara, wife of Gene C. Koontz, Harrisburg, and Susan, wife of Jeffrey Osciak, Philadelphia; and a son, Mark M., husband of Kristine Yanalitis, Pittsburgh; and six grandchildren, Adam and Sarah Koontz, Tristian and Rachael Yanalitis, Luke and Jessica Osciak.

Funeral services will be held at 8 a.m. Thursday from James H. Evans Funeral Home Inc., Saint Clair. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Casimir Church, Saint Clair, with the Rev. Ronald Jankaitis officiating. Friends are invited to call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, where she will be buried next to her husband. The family asks for donations to Port Carbon Public Library, 111 Pike St., Port Carbon, PA 17965.